It's Actually a Pretty Simple Question

Here in good 'ole Katy ISD, we've got a great group of guys calling themselves the Katy Citizen Watchdog$ whose main aim is to serve as a check on the actions and antics of Katy ISD, its administrators, and its Board. More information on who they are and what they are about can be found at their website. Their persistence is not only needed to keep the Katy ISD board in check, but vital to keeping the taxpayers of Katy ISD informed.

They are pretty busy promoting their cause these days, what with the impending bond election (early voting has already begun - go vote!) and board election and all. Recently, they have gotten a couple of opinion pieces published on the excellent Fort Bend Now website.

One recent piece mentioned Katy ISD's school construction costs and can be found here: Katy Watchdog$ Question School Building Costs In Proposed Bond Issue. The thrust of the article is that Katy ISD's school construction costs are above the average when compared with other similar-sized districts and are, therefore, suspect.

To that editorial, I posted the following comment on April 27th:

"Here’s a question for the Watchdog$:
How do Katy ISD construction costs compare when square footage and student capacity are taken into account? Katy ISD says that their per square foot costs are actually below the average compared to other districts in Region IV.

(And, of course, you realize that if your argument falls short in this regard, it doesn’t bode well for your cause, right?)

So, what say you, Watchdog$? Batter up!"

As of 1:00pm, Wednesday, May 3rd, no response has been posted by the Watchdog$.

The most recent one was more of a catch-all, alleged myth-busters type piece and can be found here: Clearing Up Misinformation About Katy ISD. And here they go again:

"If Katy ISD was so fiscally responsible, why are the projected construction costs under the proposed bond running, on average, $7 million more than some of our neighboring school districts?"

So, again, I posted the following comment:

"Since my question on this matter, in response to a previous “Watchdog$” editorial, was ignored, I guess I’ll have to ask it again.

What is the average per square foot construction cost for schools in Region IV and how does Katy ISD compare to that average?

Also, how many students does the “average” school serve and how many students are the Katy ISD schools designed to serve?

If you can’t answer these questions, your whole argument on this matter re: construction costs is bogus.

Once again, The Umpire calls out to the Watchdog$: “Batter Up!”"

My guess is that they will continue to ignore me. After all, with the election already begun in earnest, they would just as soon keep riding their argument right on through until the election is over. Nothing like being able to trot your arguments out there and ignoring sincere, reasoned, and thoughtful challenges....